The Philosophy of Love

816, pages 6 and following ruch?, 32 items?. These are likely 18th or 19th-century cataloging notes written in pencil by a librarian or collector.

Q

A printed circular emblem bears the title Hermetic Philosophy original: "PHILOSOPHIA HERMETICA." A tradition of secret knowledge involving alchemy and spiritual transformation. in yellow gold capital letters. Centered within the circle is an upright oval with a green border and a blue interior. At the top of the oval, a golden sun shines rays downward. It is crowned by an Ouroboros An ancient symbol of a serpent consuming its own tail, signifying infinity or the eternal cycle of nature.. In the middle of the oval, a white pelican in her piety A symbol of self sacrifice where a mother bird feeds her young with her own blood. is shown wounding its breast to feed its chicks. The pelican nests within a golden crescent moon. This entire scene rests on a white cubic pedestal. The front of the pedestal is decorated with four red roses arranged in an X shaped pattern.